Mondo

Finally a nailbiter:cheers:

I'm crossing my fingers.... this is the most money I've ever spent with the least info I've had a Triumph TR6 and completely rebuilt a Lotus Europa (rewired it to get rid of the Lucas wiring and made custom dash etc...). I saw the 7s at lotus meets but thought they were a little too bare and kind of funky looking (really wanted an Elan). Then came house, family... This was in the late 80s. Planned a GT40 kit for a while but the pricing really went up the last few years and I couldn't afford it. Then I saw a black S2K on Ebay and I really liked the look of it. Found it came with a 240hp Honda (power & reliabilty) and it was a little bit bigger than the Caterham (4in wider). It was also about half the GT40 cost.. Since I've gotten older I'm less into building and more into driving so it's being built. Nice to just pick colors, accesories etc and have it done. I haven't driven one or actually seen one in person. Big leap of faith... But I've talked to some owners and had some modifications that they recommended done. I'm coming off sportbikes (it's only a matter of time before the big getoff) so I figure this is the closest thing with 4 wheels:reddevil: I do agree with Al that if there would of been one for sale already registered in California I probably would of bought it. 2 out of 3 of us got the SB100 smog exemption this year.... I was the odd man out:cry: . So now I'll have to look at my options once it's here. I'm not usually this impulsive but it's my retirement gift to myself and it can go to just track days for a while if necessary (I live near 2). Actually coming to this site and reading all your comments has made me more comfortable with my decision too. Wish me luck

Some of us were planning on going May 10 as that was a "British Day"....

Yeah, I saw where they were pretty unmerciful on the ford mustang...... can't see that happening here.

I don't know yet... waiting for the car before I see the ref as I told the DMV that it was already here (they wouldn't let me try for the cert without the car being here.

No wienermobile but should be getting the S2k in a few weeks.... didn't get the SB100 cert but hope to get a few more registration extensions (those little red numbered papers you put in the window..) so I can drive around until next year. Otherwise it'll be my lowered G35coupe

it's on the calendar:cool:

:thumbs: I'll have to keep that in mind (not too far away...)

sounds like dream job, congrats:cheers:

Well your right on the SB100 numbers... gone in 3 hours; and I didn't get one:cry: Good luck, it looks like a very nice car.

For the last decade or so I've had the GT40 bug really bad. RCR is quickly becoming one of the best kits out there. They have a very nice mono-frame set up that is used for other 60s style race cars like the Lola T70 as well. RCR also has a nice modern style race car ala Ultima/Noble. The price of these cars has gone up and above what I can afford hence the S2K. But talking to the guys on the GT40 site, they acknowledge the 7, with it's light weight, will likely be more fun on the track and really twisty roads where the heavy V8's power is less useful. It's definitely one of my "win the lotto" cars:cool:

I read the title and thought Tata meant good bye. It might be if they try to sell Jaguars & Rovers from India.... another blow for middle class workers. But hey, we're building British like cars here on this site

I think I can do the temp thing for a year but there's no guarantee I wouldn't be in the same boat next year.... still, that's probably the best alternative; going back every 3 months for an extension until next year. I doubt I can install all the 2005 Honda smog stuff (that nice looking header wouldn't pass..) I have a couple other options but they're a little roundabout.... Last resort, I live close to Buttonwillow & Willowsprings Raceway and it may just be a trackday car for a year. Though I was really looking forward to taking it to the MotoGp race in Monterey this July:nonod: .

Congrats Locost, I'm screwed.... had all the paperwork done last week. DMV lady started at 9am and never got through. All gone at noon. I don't know what I'm going to do now:ack:

I was trying to avoid the bait because I don't want to see this site broken into different categories (though as it grows I wouldn't mind seeing technical questions broke into manufacturers sections) but here goes; Pretty much all the cars selling today pay homage to the original. We all buy 7s for different reasons..... the badge, the performance, the look... it don't matter to me. As long as your happy:cool: . But if I wanted to claim having "a Lotus 7", to me, it would have to had come from the Lotus company directly. I can't help thinking what someone with an original 7 would think of the Mike's comments on pedigree.

Like the "Not us" logo..... might have to do something similar on the S2K;)

I don't think this is a secret anymore... Brian came up with a good idea for those WCM owners that want to have fun on high speed tracks or get really serious on a road coarse. He's coming out with a LeMans kit that fits on the same chassis. "...American LeMans style body that will fit over your existing chassis. Just remove the Hood, Headlights, and front fenders, bolt this down, plug in the lights and you have a whole new body style. You can change back at anytime in less than an hour..." I've seen a sketch and the front... It looks pretty cool. He should be coming out with pics soon.[/img]

Happy holidays to everyone and I look forward to being able to contribute to this site when my car arrives next month.

Thanks Sean, I have that paperwork. It was just when the clerk told me (after conferring with her manager & CHP officer) that I had to have possession of the vehicle, in working condition, or I couldn't apply that I got a little spooked. Plus her refusal to tell me anything because I didn't have the car... I think the smaller DMV will be more friendly and accommodating. Wish me luck.

Sean, Sorry if you think I'm making too big a deal out of this. I hope your right. It's just if the DMV doesn't want to give me the required information and on Jan 2nd I'm missing something they require then I'm out of luck for 365 days. There's no guarantee that I will even get one of the 500 certs as there will likely be more than 500 people applying. Again, I've searched the net and am pretty sure I've got the necessary documents. But with such an investment I'd like to be a bit more confident, hence the DMV visit. There's a particular form that has a box that you sign stating the date the car entered California. And I'm pretty sure if I went back to that particular DMV office, they would ask to see the car (remember, they kept copies of my paperwork). That's where a little white lie can turn into perjury etc... Odds are good things will work out but it's kind of like parachuting.... one mistake and :ack:

Yes, Brian gave me all the necessary paperwork (that might of triggered something with me having the paperwork and not the car yet..). My only plans are to try and get the smog exempt sequence number on the 2nd. Once I get that everything else will fall in line. If for some reason I don't get it, I'll look into what it takes for the rest of the smog requirements. I'd have to get it smogged every 2 years and it would limit any motor modifications I may want to do in the future.... Worst case, looks like 3 or 4 track days at WillowSprings & Buttonwillow in 08 (instead of car insurance) The more I think about it, the more I get; that they wouldn't tell me the requirements until the car was here..... that's like telling you the speed limit after getting a ticket for speeding. How are you supposed to have all the paperwork in order? If I didn't do the research I wouldn't have some of the necessary forms filled out by WCM. There's no way I could of gotten that info on the same day you register:crazy: This is the info that I got and the DMV personnel seemed upset about (they saw just the steps): http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/resources/spcns100-instructions.doc

The DMV in Shafter was a lot more friendly and I'll go there. As far as transfering registration from another state, I heard the car has to have at least 7500 miles to not have to meet California smog rules (plus you have to have a residence there). The honda S2000 motor is not a 70's style motor so I can't do like others with SB chevy's etc... thus the SB100. While the motor/tailpipe would pass emissions, I won't have the fuel tank evaporative system and I imagine other little stuff. This is a plan B option.... As far as parts, it's basically a turnkey minus- which means the parts list is the kit & engine/drivetrain. I have receipts for this. I guess, as last resort, I could have my brother register it in Idaho and I'll "borrow" it for a year or so before he gives it to me as a gift

Well here's my story so far... Brian is finishing up my S2K and it doesn't look like it will be ready before the end of the year. California gives out 500 smog exempt certificates for kit cars per year. They are usually all gone the first day of the year (Actually Jan 2nd). I currently have all the paperwork to get it registered. I figured I'd pick up the car next month. My plan is to get the cert and pay for registration. Then I have a 90 day temporary registration to go to the CHP to get it's roadworthy approval before bringing all the paperwork back to the DMV for final approval. Just to make sure I have all the proper paperwork so I don't get to the DMV on Jan 2nd and get blindsided I decide to go by there today and make sure. Might of been a mistake.... After waiting 40 minutes, I get to the window and explain to the clerk that I want to make sure I have all the correct paperwork to register a kit car on Jan 2nd. She pulls out a memo they received on specialty cars-SB100 and starts looking over my pamphlet of stuff. She noticed I didn't have a date that the car came into California. I told her it's not done yet and is coming from Texas (actually I'm picking it up). Well she goes off to her supervisor, with all my material. They sit and confer, get on the phone, talk to a CHP officer that works there, and make copies of my paperwork.... after 10 minutes she comes back and says that she can not tell me anything until the car is in California, that it has to be here and serviceable before applying and that they discourage this type of registrations:confused: It was then that she showed me a couple pages I had in my material (and apparently should of took out:banghead: ) that seemed to have irked them. It was instructions from someone that I pulled off the web concerning how to register thru SB100. It didn't slam DMV personnel but did mention you might have to be prepared to explain some issues as they only do this one day a year. I guess that offended them. Since being in the military and knowing not to mess with Finance & the cooks, I kept my cool. But it pisses me off that they think they can withhold information concerning the SB100 process:cuss: I went ahead and made a reservation for first thing on Jan 2nd but I have no intention of going to that DMV office... especially with them having copies of my paperwork. That has me worried:nonod: Are they waiting to ask me to present my car on the 2nd? Are they going to pass this around to others on what to be on the lookout for (though I'm not sure what that entails). I'm hoping they are such a bureaucracy that I'll just go to the DMV in the next small town and get it done there and no one will be the wiser. Wish me luck.... I don't want to wait 12 months to play this game again:mad:

Thanks guys. I never thought I'd say "only 50" but I do feel fortunate to be able to start a new chapter at this age. Still have a couple kids (11 & 15) to get thru school but am looking forward to being around more. Though I have a few months of honey do's to accomplish, we'll see how things go after that. I definitely look forward to hitting the twisties in the 7 while other people are working for a living:lol:

Well that was it, officially retired from the Fire Department:hurray: Hung around until 2 and then the other retiring Deputy Chief and I went to the bar and drank until about 7 (had the wives come pick us up). Sitting here with a nice little buzz contemplating retired life... and picking up my S2K in a few weeks:cool: